Mods Sat 8 Jan 11

Chilly morning with plenty of threatening clouds greeted the usual suspects: Jane, Rob, Graham, Martin, Pat, Howard, Glen, Paul P, Neil and myself. A little later than usual getting away due to problems on the M25 and a forgotten wallet. Eventually all together we set of south to dodge the puddles and cross the weir, by Pickett’s Lock, carrying six inches of water across to the relief channel. So a bit of a damp start but by no means as damp as Roy’s! 

Paul punctures by Victoria Park and the changed tube gets him 300 yards before it to goes flat, in the mean time, as we all know when you stop for a puncture there is always another hiding in the bunch, Neil discovers a flat also.

A drawing of the proposed Victoria Park layout published in 1841.

On we go with the short shower of rain giving way to a little blue sky and sunshine. Through Limehouse basin and on to the Narrow Way to the Captain Kidd (that’s another story).

Over to Tower Bridge to the south bank of the Thames past HMS Belfast and to Borough Market for a lunch stop, this is cancelled, due to heaving masses of tourists and the time pushing on, so it is decided to head for the Olympic site and the Outlook Café for cheesy grin bacon butties, chocolate brownie and coffee.

Back on the tow path for a swift ride north with a 180 degree sunset for company back to Ponders End a total of 32 miles with loads of smiles and on up to the SH to join the Rads.

Bandana Man

Dave